Google Glass as a mobile reading platform?

[Rhialto]

Google is now selling Glass to app developers and issuing guidelines.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/0...ref=technology


Is it feasible to contemplate at some point in the future reading an e-book on such a wearable device? Perhaps in a half-lit room looking at a blank wall?

[QuantumIguana]

It's very possible that wearable displays could be used for book reading in the future. Right now, the technology isn't quite ready. It's hard to tell now if reading from a wearable display would be enjoyable. I could see problems if people were using it to read while driving!

[ucfgrad93]

Not sure I'd want to read on a 2 inch screen.

[QuantumIguana]

Two inches directly in front of your eyes appears to be quite large. One company sells a wearable video display, and they claim it is the equivalent of watching a 92" TV set at a distance of 10 feet. http://itvgoggles.com/

[ApK]

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Not sure I'd want to read on a 2 inch screen.

Your retinas are smaller than that and you read on those just fine!
Seriously, there's a lot of factors involved, and the physical size doesn't need to be the dominant one. If done right.

[Teknikal]

Doesn't work like that the display is only in a tiny corner of the glasses and doesn't fill your whole vision, I suspect this Google thing will seriously make a lot of people cross eyed.

Can't imagine even viewing a website on it let alone reading a book myself.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Teknikal

Doesn't work like that the display is only in a tiny corner of the glasses and doesn't fill your whole vision, I suspect this Google thing will seriously make a lot of people cross eyed.

Can't imagine even viewing a website on it let alone reading a book myself.

Depends on the apparent focus distance, resolution, transparency, etc. Heads-Up-Displays have been around for a while. Every reason to think advancing technology will keep making them better.

[AdelaideSandy]

Originally Posted by ApK

Your retinas are smaller than that and you read on those just fine!
Seriously, there's a lot of factors involved, and the physical size doesn't need to be the dominant one. If done right.

I don't think the idea of text display will be the same as the Left to right top to bottom strategy we all use today. Won't it just flash at you on the screen at the speed you choose? Speed reading applications like Spreeder will be developing apps for GG I am certain. No eye movement necessary.

[Anthem]

I suppose reading on wearable computing could be possible in the future, but that device will not be the Google Glass. It is just not suited for it. And the watches won't be, either.

So, there may be some sort of wearable reader... but I have no idea what it would look like.

Rubber band a Kindle to your shoulder?

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Anthem

I suppose reading on wearable computing could be possible in the future, but that device will not be the Google Glass. It is just not suited for it. And the watches won't be, either.

So, there may be some sort of wearable reader... but I have no idea what it would look like.

Rubber band a Kindle to your shoulder?

Why isn't it suited for it, and how exactly is a rubber-banded Kindle "wearable computing" any more than the one held in my hand and stored in my pocket? Perhaps it too is wearable computing if I wrap the strap around the back of my hand.

The watches I agree, they're too small. But floating the text in your field of vision is perfectly reasonable, it's the concept behind a HUD.

[doubleshuffle]

Waiting for Google Brain to flash the whole shebang right into my cortex.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

Waiting for Google Brain to flash the whole shebang right into my cortex.

That WOULD be awesome.

Reminds me of the BrainPal in John Scalzi's Old Man's War.

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

That WOULD be awesome.

Reminds me of the BrainPal in John Scalzi's Old Man's War.

Have yet to read that. Bought it with the first Humble ebook bundle, but there's so much on my TBR pile.

Anyway, I've heard there are two versions of Google Brain in development: the sleek, small, expensive one that is just implanted on top of your biological brain, and the cheaper, bulkier version which you have to make room for by removing the wetware - which, however, will enable you to get a huge discount by trading the removed parts to Google Braaaiins.

[eschwartz]

I'd like to suggest option 2 to a few people I know...

They could make useful organic robots once their useless brain goes. And it's relatively undetectable, too! Just gotta be careful they don't go on any planes...

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Not sure I'd want to read on a 2 inch screen.

with one bad eye....